Father's Day Gift Guide

This Father’s Day, we want to celebrate the wonderful ways that dads support and encourage us, including the life lessons we learn from them. So, our gift guide this year is all about activities and excursions that dads and kids can do together; adventures that will create new memories and opportunities to learn new lessons from each other.

Enjoy An Upcycling Project Together

Go through Dad’s shed and get started on an upcycling project together. Give him this lovely book by Max McMurdo for some great ideas to get you started.

Take On A Photographic Project

Gift Dad a snazzy new camera and set out on a photographic excursion to improve your picture-taking skills together. From entry-level DSLR cameras to pocket digital models, there’s a piece of kit available for every budget. This Complete Beginners Guide To Photography will also help with some useful tips and tricks or check Chris Bray’s online photography course to really set you off on the right track.

Improve Your Mountain Bike Skills

An exhilarating day of mountain biking will make a great dad-and-kids adventure. There are courses across Australia for all levels, from complete beginners to sessions aimed at improving techniques on more challenging tracks. Here are a few suggestions for bike skills courses to explore.

Family Volunteering

Embark on a programme of volunteering with the kids that will help others, give back to the world and build family bonds. Consider arranging a volunteering activity or trip to do with Dad with organisations like GVI Australia, or Kids Giving Back. Also check out these ideas from Brisbane Kids:

Learn To Blacksmith​

A truly unique father-and-son gift! There are various venues around the country that offer wonderful day-long experiences and the opportunity for fathers and their kids to learn the skill of blacksmithing. Dad and his little guy can hammer out a range of tools that they’ll take home and cherish forever.Here are some suggestions of venues:

Build A Bird House Together​

Dad can encourage the family’s interest in birdwatching by building a birdhouse together. This handy book will show you how. And maximise your bird-spotting opportunities with this metal and birchwood bird call instrument that, with a simple twist, produces sounds to attract a variety of species – genius!

Take Out A Cultural Membership

Your Saturday morning activity with the children is sorted when you take out a family membership that lets you visit a plethora of gardens, galleries, historic houses and protected green spaces.

Embark On A Family Cookery Course

This one’s for aspiring dad chefs. There’s an array of cookery courses for all levels that the family can do together, or with the kids as Dad’s kitchen assistants!

Play Chess Together

If your dad plays chess, why not treat him to a new fancy set this year? He can teach the little ones how to play too!

Plan A Camping Trip

Love a camp out? Help Dad to plan a family outdoor weekend by treating him to a sleek new tent, such as this one by Oztrail. It’s easy to put up and sleeps four people.

Go On A Big Adventure

For dads who love the wild, give him an extra special treat this Father’s Day with a family holiday that’s all about canoes, crafts and wildcamping. A perfect type of trip to do with older teens or adult offspring, take a look at Tourism Australia for lots of ideas, including white water rafting adventures for fathers and sons and an Aboriginal guided tour experience.